Effectiveness of Electronic Medication Packaging Devices on Medication Adherence: A Scoping Review.

Poor adherence to complex medication regimens is a global problem that affects the treatment of chronic diseases, which involves polypharmacy and requires long-term administration of medications. The most significant barrier to medication adherence in older adults is patient-related factors. The purpose of this study was to find evidence from the current literature to evaluate the effectiveness of electronic medication packaging (EMP) devices on improving medication adherence in older patients. MEDLINE and EMBASE databases were searched based on inclusion/exclusion criteria, focusing on medication adherence and EMP devices with specific technological features. Search results included studies with experiences of patients with four different devices and various medical conditions. Study results indicated that EMP devices may improve medication adherence in older patients. However, due to insufficient evidence that supports their effectiveness specifically in the aging population, further clinical validation in older adults is recommended to draw strong conclusions.